10-man Orlando City stuns D.C. in stoppage time

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Stefano Pinho scored the tying goal in second-half stoppage time as 10-man Orlando City earned a 1-1 draw with D.C. United in the Major League Soccer season opener for both teams on Saturday night in Orlando, Fla.

D.C. United’s Yamil Asad scored on a free kick in the 32nd minute when the ball made its way through traffic and bounced into the corner of the goal.

Orlando City had to play short-handed after Victor Giro received a red card in the 41st minute for violent conduct. Despite being short-handed, Orlando City controlled the run of play and maintained almost 60 percent of the possession.

Orlando City was missing four key players because of injuries: top striker Dom Dwyer (quad strain), and midfielders Josue Colman (quad contusion), Dillon Powers (ankle) and Uri Rosell (fitness). Newly acquired Sacha Kljestan was also out because he is serving the first of a two-game suspension.

D.C. United had a pair of new midfielders, Paul Arriola and Zoltan Stieber, make their debut. However, newly acquired Russell Canouse was out with a knee sprain.

David Ousted got the start in goal for D.C. United and finished with one save.

D.C. United also played without coach Ben Olsen and top scorer Luciano Acosta because both were suspended for infractions in the regular-season finale last season. Longtime assistant Chad Ashton served as the head coach in Olsen’s absence.

D.C. United was awarded a penalty kick in the 19th minute when Will Johnson was called for a hand ball inside the penalty area after a review. Orlando City goalkeeper Joe Bendik got a hand on the ensuing shot by Darren Mattocks, and the ball caromed off the crossbar. Bendik finished with four saves.

Asad made the most of his free kick and provided the lead. The first half ended with a skirmish after Giro was knocked to the turf by Mattocks.

Orlando had several scoring chances throughout the final 45 minutes, but Ousted came up big for D.C. United. However, Pinho tied the game in the 93rd minute off a pass from Jonathan Spector.